The boss of McDonald's UK and Ireland has said she "doesn't want to talk about the past" when asked about allegations of abuse at the fast-food chain.

Lauren Schultz told the BBC what had happened in recent years was "unacceptable" but said "we have drawn a line under it".

A BBC investigation in 2023 heard from more than 100 McDonald's workers in the UK claiming they faced a toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying. Last year, staff said they still faced sexual abuse and harassment.

The UK equality watchdog agreed tougher measures with the company to protect staff in November, including new sexual harassment training.

One former McDonald's employee, who previously spoke up as part of the BBC's initial investigation, said she felt the company needed to talk about what had happened.

"I understand that she doesn't want to talk about the past. However, McDonald's has an infamous reputation for being a toxic workplace," she said.

"So, as much as they don't want to talk about the past, it is key to understanding that in order to be able to rewrite the narrative and draw the line, in my opinion."

The BBC's investigation in July 2023 head from workers, some as young as 17, who said they had been groped and harassed almost routinely.

After the report, McDonald's apologised and set up a new unit to deal with complaints.

Schulz, who replaced Alistair Macrow as chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland in September, said on Wednesday "a ton of work" had taken place to improve things since then.

"What happened in recent years is unacceptable," she said. "A safe and respectful workplace is a non-negotiable in our restaurants."

"We have zero tolerance for this behaviour and we have strong accountability measures in place."

• McDonald's - A toxic workplace for teenagers?

But when asked what had gone wrong before, and whether there had been a cultural problem at the firm, Schultz responded: "I can't speak to what went on before."

"I am here today to push us forward into the future and develop a culture."

She also didn't respond to questions about McDonald's franchise model, which some have pointed to as part of the problem, saying: "I don't want to speak about the past. What I'm here [for] is to build the future."

Ian Hodson, president of the Bakers, Food, and Allied Workers Union, said: "You don't fix a toxic workplace by staying silent."

"If they're serious, they should finally start listening to workers and their representatives," he added.

Schultz's remarks came as McDonald's launches paid work placement programme for 2,500 young people in a move to help tackle rising youth unemployment.

It will offer five-day placements to 16 to 25-year-olds nationwide, with a target for a quarter of the placements to be offered to young people who are classed as Neet (not in education, employment or training) or at risk of becoming Neet.

When asked whether it would be hard to sell the scheme to parents, when they'll be aware of what has happened at McDonald's in recent years, Schultz said: "I don't see it that way.

"I think we have so many great stories that happen in our restaurants every single day."

She said that McDonald's has a history of work experience in its restaurants and a very young workforce – with 100,000 of its staff under the age of 25.

"And we don't just hire them, we believe in them, we train them, and we empower them to grow their careers."

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said it was "a really important step" on the ladder of helping young people get some experience in the workplace.

"McDonald's are important in this, as they're one of the biggest employers of young people in the country," he told the BBC.

"I want to work with business to make sure young people get a chance of work experience, training, a job - anything but leaving education and going onto a life of benefits."